Cichlherminia lherminieri (Forest Thrush)
(Lafresnaye, 1844)
Identification: 25–27 cm. Medium-sized thrush. All dark brown upperparts. Brownish below
with white spots on breast, flanks and upper belly, and white lower belly. Yellow legs, bill
and bare skin around eye. Similar spp. On St Lucia, distinguished from Bare-eyed Robin
Turdus nudigenis by scaled underparts. Pearly-eyed Thrasher Margarops fuscatus is greyer
and has white spots in tail. Voice Soft musical song. Hints Best located by song given from
concealed perch.
Taxonomic source
AOU checklist (1998 + supplements)
Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)
Stotz et al. (1996)
Category: VU
CR:
EN:
VU: A2c,d,e
Threat justification: Human-induced deforestation, introduced predators and severe habitat
loss from volcanic eruptions on Montserrat in 1995-1997 have produced rapid population
declines, qualifying the species as Vulnerable. However, the population (but not the range) on
Montserrat has increased markedly since 1997 and the overall decline rate is likely to be
lower in the future.
Questions for reviewers
Is the decline rate too high? Are there any recent population estimates? Should the species be downgraded
to Near Threatened?
Population details (Note: zeros may equate to 'unset')
Year of estimate: 2000
Popn: 0 - 0
Popn band: 10,000-19,999
Data quality: poor
Data derivation: estimated (indirectly)
Sub-population no.: 4
Sub-population band: unset
Mature individuals in 1 sub-population: unset
Largest sub-population: 0
Largest sub-poulation band: >1,000
Population justification: Preliminary population estimate requiring further
documentation.
Population trend details (Note: zeros may equate to 'unset')
Trend period: 1998 - 2008
Trend: decreasing
Data quality: poor
Data derivation: inferred
Fluctuation: unknown
Decline (10 years/3 generations past): 0 or Estimate: 30-49
Decline (10 years/3 generations future): 0 or Estimate: 1-19
Decline (10 years/3 generations past+future): 0 or Estimate: 20-49
Trend justification: There are no new data, however the species is still thought to be
declining, although following the cessation of volcanic activity on Montserrat, not
at so fast as rate as previously.
Range details (Note: zeros may equate to 'unset')
Year: 2000
EOO (br/res): 1440 EOO (non-br): 0
Data quality: good
Year: 0
unset
Number of locations: 0
AOO (br/res): 0
AOO (non-br): 0
Locations band: >10 locations
Data quality:
Fragmentation: some
Taxonomy:
Population and Range: Cichlherminia lherminieri is uncommon in the Lesser
Antilles, on Montserrat (to UK), Dominica, Guadeloupe (to France) and rare on St
Lucia, but appears to have declined significantly throughout its range in recent
years6. The range on Montserrat was reduced by two-thirds in 1995-1997 by the
effects of volcanic eruptions4. However, in December 1999, the population was
estimated at 3,100 birds1, representing an increase of c.50% since December 19974.
On St Lucia, it is uncommon to rare, but was considered numerous in the late 19th
century5, suggesting a notable decline. On Guadeloupe, it occurs at low densities,
with no records from Grande Terre since c.19933.
Country distribution
Dominica
Guadeloupe (to France)
Montserrat (to UK)
St Lucia
Extinct
no
no
no
no
Occur status
N
N
N
N
Res.
yes
yes
yes
yes
Br.
yes
yes
yes
yes
Non-Br.
yes
yes
yes
yes
Passage
no
no
no
no
Ecology: It mostly inhabits the undergrowth and edge of mid- and high-altitude
primary and secondary moist forest, but can be exceedingly shy where hunted2,5,6.
Pairs feed on insects and berries from ground-level to the forest canopy6. On St
Lucia, it previously gathered in large numbers in autumn to feed on berries5.
Breeding has been recorded in April-May.
Altitude: 0 - 0 (Note: zeros may equate to 'unset')
Habitat
Forest
Type
Subtropical/tropical montane moist forest
Season
resident
Tolerance
medium
Importance
critical
Threats: Habitat loss has occurred throughout the species's range, but has been
particularly acute on Montserrat4. Volcanic activity was much reduced during 199819994, but a further major volcanic eruption in 2001 caused heavy ash falls across
large areas of the remaining habitat7. Threats on other islands include broodparasitism by Shiny Cowbirds Molothrus bonariensis, competition with Bare-eyed
Robin Turdus nudigenis and predation by mongooses and other introduced
mammals6. It is still legally hunted on Guadeloupe3, and illegal hunting for food
continues on other islands6.
Threat
05 Biological resource use
10 Geological events
Cause
5.1.1 Hunt/trap terrestr animals:
Intentional mortality (human use)
10.1 Volcanoes
Timing
continuing
suspended
(may return in
short term)
05 Biological resource use
5.3.5 Logging/wood harvesting: Motivation continuing
unknown/unrecorded
08 Invasive & other problematic species & 8.2 Problematic native species
continuing
genes
08 Invasive & other problematic species & 8.1.065 IAS: Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus
continuing
genes
bonariensis)
08 Invasive & other problematic species & 8.1.017 IAS: Small Asian Mongoose
continuing
genes
(Herpestes javanicus)
Scope
minority
Severity
Impact
slow decline low
minority
rapid decline low
majority
slow decline medium
majority
slow decline medium
majority
slow decline medium
majority
slow decline medium
Action: It occurs in Morne Diablotin National Park on Dominica, Guadeloupe
National Park on Guadeloupe and various forest reserves including Edmond on St
Lucia. On Montserrat, remaining habitat in the Centre Hills area is protected and
highly unlikely to suffer any further anthropogenic habitat destruction4. The species is
monitored quarterly in the Centre Hills, with large-scale censuses in 1997 and 19994.
Targets: •Survey to assess the status and seasonal requirements of the species on
each island. •Implement a specific hunting ban. •Conduct an awareness campaign to
limit hunting.
References: 1. Arendt et al. (1999). 2. Bond (1979). 3. P. Feldmann and P. Villard in litt.
(1998). 4. G. Hilton in litt. (2000). 5. Keith (1997). 6. Raffaele et al. (1998). 7. Cotinga
(2002) 17: 7.
Red List evaluators
Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International)
Simon Mahood (BirdLife International)